It has been yet another uncertain year for the Middle East channel, with a promising outlook at the start of 2013 turning into doubt due to the continued regional instability and a slump in global PC sales. But where is the channel heading to in Q4 2013 and 2014? The 2013 Channel Confidence Survey aims to find out.

Not all is obscure, as the mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) segment has be growing at a rapid pace, with both Gartner and IDC predicting that sales of smartphones and tablets will outstrip PCs this year.

The annual Channel Confidence Survey aims to gauge the state of the Middle East channel business, from the reseller, distributor, system integrator, retailer and vendor perspective, and provide an insight into how channel players see the market right now, and how they are preparing for what's to come.

In order to build this picture of the regional channel's prospects, we need your assistance. The survey consists of 12 multiple-choice questions, and will take no more than a couple of minutes for you to answer. If you are involved with the channel in the Middle East today, please share your insight with us by participating in this survey.

We intend to publish the results of the survey in the October GITEX edition of Channel Middle East magazine, giving you an opportunity to see how your outlook on the channel compares with that of the market in general.